I don't have very many (any?) GR's in my summit log. (Grid References, or unnamed summits). The reason is obvious - without a named summit it's hard for others to relate what the heck you're referring to if you simply reference a number! Lately I've been reconsidering this logic. I actually like going up obscure peaks and out-of-the-way spots and calling everything by it's GR might be kind of fun... ;-)

Since Andrew Nugara's scrambles book lists a few GR's on it's tick list of summits, I guess I will start listing a few of these and see how it feels. My original plans were to ascend Mount Bryant but when I got to the north end of the Powderface trail (road) I saw a sign indicating a local closure for a car rally race from 12-7pm! That was a major bummer - I wasn't too impressed. Stuck with nothing to do and running out of time to drive somewhere else and still have time to ascend anything I pulled out Nugara's book and started perusing it for ideas. GR338442 jumped out at me. With a possible extension to Kananaskis Peak I could even end up with a two peak day. I drove the remainder of hwy 68 to hwy 40 and parked near Kananaskis Village turn off, as for Wasootch Peak.

[I just missed a glorious sunrise opportunity but managed to capture a bit of it along hwy 68!]

[Road closure! I whipped past this sign but then did a double take when I saw all the road race signs along the road and went back for another look - good thing!]

I didn't like the sounds of the nasty bushwhack so I ascended the Wasootch trail on the left side of the creek rather than Nugara's lower route through the forest. I went pretty high on this trail until it insisted on giving preference to Wasootch by angling climber's left and away from the creek. I was about 50-75 meters above the creek at this point and had to lose the elevation before walking up the creek to find a way up the ridge. Eventually I came to a drainage (small, rocky) and ascended it to gain tree line on the ridge to GR338442. The gully had some snow and ice in it but didn't present too many huge problems.

[The Kananaskis valley looks nice with a dusting of snow. The Wedge at left and Kidd at right.]

[My small gully that took me to tree line on the ridge after descending from the Wasootch trail and going up the creek a little ways.]

The top part of the route was surprisingly loose and unpleasant. Every step up was half a step back! I tried to find solid ground but it was a challenge. With snow, there was one tricky little traverse that I couldn't slip on (exposed) but other than that nothing major.

[Hard to believe that Nakiska is open for the season. Grass skiing anyone? :-)]

The summit views were great under a blue sky with a chilly breeze. Kananaskis Peak looked intimidating to get to, and I wasn't feeling 100% so I bailed on that plan. (I did wonder if I was actually on the summit but I've since confirmed from the book that I was.)

The descent was fast. I descended further down the treed ridge, until the terrain flattened a bit and then hit the creek, crossed it and descended the Wasootch trail to the truck. There was 5 vehicles parked near me - they were all ascending Wasootch, which seems to be the new Mount Baldy now!

[The upper treed ridge isn't bad at all - at least on the way down!]

[Back on the Wasootch approach trail, looking back at GR338442.]

[Wasootch Creek is mostly frozen over now.]

If you're desperate for a summit and have done everything else in the region this peak is worth your time. Else, there is better objectives out there. I certainly won't be repeating.

About Me

My name is Vern Dewit. I moved to Calgary, Alberta (Canada) in 1999 and since then I've fallen in love with the spectacular scenery and grand vistas that open up as you scramble up above treeline on a beautiful fall morning, or make your first cast on some back country stream as the sun throws its golden warmth on surrounding peaks.

Goal

I hope that my trip reports and pictures will inspire you to push your own physical limits whatever those may be. You may be inspired to try scrambling - a sport where you climb mountains via non-technical ascent routes - or you may simply realize what's in your own backyard and go for a short hike somewhere.

Disclaimer / Contact

Read the trip reports carefully and don't simply follow them blindly. Make sure you're within your abilities and if you have any questions don't hesitate to send me an email.